Forum topic: Police operation to counter steep rise in London road fatalities

29 people have been killed in road traffic accidents in London since the start of 2015 - three times the rate in 2014. A police operation in response will focus on people using mobile phones whilst driving, speeding, failing to wear seat belts and on vehicle defects.

See this BBC report

According to this report in the Independent , .a sharp reduction in traffic police numbers is to blame. Well, of course, more traffic police would certainly help reduce the number of accidents, but the actual blame lies with irresponsible drivers - they are the killers, not the police.

I suspect that the most common crime that occurs in the UK is dangerous driving, certainly the type of crime with the most serious consequences; but it doesn't seem to be viewed as being as serious as, for instance, burglary or drug taking. Of course, in the vast majority of cases of speeding and other forms of dangerous driving, the criminal behind the wheel gets away with it because, despite their irresponsible and anti-social actions, they are lucky enough not to be involved in an accident and not to be spotted by the police.

Let's hope Operation Safeway's focus includes the Green Lanes/Bourne Hill/Hedge Lane junction.

There is a legitimate argument for reducing the number of cars owned by London residents. Either side neighbours have 7 vehicles in total. This creates a parking issue and, arguably, encourages car fetish ownership. Irrespective of age there can be immature driving behaviour as witnessed on many occasion in Burford Gardens. Like KB, there are too many incidences of anti social driving and far too few police resources to manage what happens on our roads.

If only the Council had some means of giving road space to other, less damaging, means of transport to make cars less attractive, or some kind of idea about limiting cars in quieter residential roads...hmmm.